He had a promise. This Joyan performer had enough experience, sometimes, a little bit too much. He had become familiar with the town's staffs that he promised to help them perform, and would even perform for them if the chances wills it. Unlike in Masami's hometown, nobody was rushing the preparations. Everything and everyone was going smoothly, without having to shout and without having to run around with a rush.

Masami wasn't the main lead today, initially because he didn't have to, and the second reason is because he didn't want a foreigner taking the spot light. The theme for today's play were samurais fighting knights, without using magic at all. If Masami did use magic, the whole place might tore down in flames. Instead, Masami was the narrator, and one of the dancers. The play didn't have music or dances at first, but it was Masami's idea to share a little bit culture into their play. Only a week of practice; though the play wasn't perfect in Masami's eyes, it was instead, very good enough.

"A what?" Masami whispered back after his part ended, waiting for the next. He'll only show for at least thirty seconds to two minutes, then the rest of his part will be conducted behind the curtains. "A VIP?" he was more confused than ever, then they pointed a woman from afar. Masami didn't know if she was just entering or if she has been there since earlier, was she leaving? But the show was just starting. How much of a VIP is this VIP anyway? Did they only mention that because the person appears extravagant or odd?

Come to think of it, the first time Masami was here, too, he looked like a VIP.

Masami nodded, "Right, make sure there are enough aiding kits just in case." he meant the swords, real swords instead of the wooden substitutes. Light, nimbly, real blades. A sword dance, and Masami will lead for thirty seconds before completely finishing the parts. Nobody seemed to complain, and being an experienced dancer, Masami believed they did a job well. After their part, even the backup dancers were rejoicing, but was shushed – otherwise they'll be heard by the audience and reveal such an unprofessional act. "Don't let that person, whoever that is leave afterwards. I want to see what they think! Masami mentioned this before taking the script and the microphone, waiting for the right lines to strike.

One out of two. Although the opening dance has already been conducted, the play merely started. "Both found each other odd, not giving the other side a chance to speak. They unsheathed their swords, though made of the same material, were completely different." Masami narrated, lightly dropping the microphone afterwards as the setting changes. The stage's backdrop rolled into a fiery red and the lights dimmed, glowing fire props were used as a light source – magic or not, the flames were warm, yet they weren't burning anything, not even a slight bit, even if its flames passed through the audience and leaving them in awe.

The backup dances ripped the curtains using their swords and conducted their positions. Of course, they didn't entirely "rip" the curtains, it was only for show. Masami was the only one who held two swords and wearing something... odd. Traditional Joyan clothing among what seemed to be knight costumes, not to mention how much of a foreigner he looks; being in the middle, as well. Masami only had to lead this dance for thirty seconds, and in those thirty seconds he knew that most of their eyes were sticking unto him. Such a graceful lady, it doesn't matter if he truly was, although. (S)he danced with grace, having enough experience, after all. This was an easy task to him, easier than a D-Rank quest.

Once more, they hid behind the behind the curtains after it "miraculously" fixed itself. After all, they weren't really ripped, it was merely an illusion for play. Throughout the whole play, there were only the two main leads – and because of the lack of narration, Masami sat in the back impatiently all throughout, waiting for his turn. He'd sometimes peek and observe the "VIP" woman, scanning her clothing. 'Looks like they were too intimidated to even get near her.' Masami pouted in attempt to avoid intimidation as well. When it was time, he picked the microphone up after taking a deep breath. "The battle lasted for four days straight, such as the words of the ancestry. Unfortunately... there was no victor." Masami narrated and immediately, there were slashing of swords coming from the background. The play came to an end when the two warriors; a samurai and a holy knight, fell unto the ground.

The story had neither a good nor a bad ending, it was a terrible cliffhanger instead. However, everyone continued to clap for their efforts until the lights are fully lit up, and the entrance/exit is reopened. All the actors came on stage with a bow, but Masami couldn't help staring at that "VIP" and noticing... an illegal beverage. Masami knew what it is, of course, but considering he's a minor, he has never tasted such drink before.

Pushing himself through the crowd, he reached out for the VIP. 'Yikes, intimidating indeed.' he thought after taking a short glance at the stranger's eyes, intimidating though he wasn't so close. He remained a huge distance, "It wasn't so hot today, so I hope you were comfortable." about a meter or two, that distance. Whoever she was, everyone agrees that this VIP was truly, "Very Important," to the point where those who were around her had rushed to leave, based on Masami's observation. "Oh! I'm not the head of this play, I just helped out. I hope you liked it, though! though he was quite far, his voice tried its best to amplify itself. Hopefully, they heard him speak.

Masami took a subtle deep breath after feeling how heavy his heart seemed upon hearing this woman's words. Should've he just completely revised everything to make it the "best" instead of "good enough"? If he knew how important this person was beforehand, then he'd probably completely revise everything. It felt as if he failed as a performer; he forced a shaky smile to brush a frown off. Did he write the play? Well, he could've. "Well, no... the ending was supposed to, well. The knight was supposed to win in the end but we thought that it seemed to sponsor Marigold a little, which isn't really bad but, it seemed very self-admiring, considering we're in Marigold."

After all, the tale was based off an already made-up story, should've they just kept the real ending? "And..." he said in his defense to that thought, "it's also pretty odd, because samurais are supposed to be trained in a very strict way, and they are required to have become experts in their teen years. Considering the comparison of the two sides' demanding discipline," Masami let out a calm smile, opening his palms, "it would be peculiar if the strictly and sternly, well-trained soldier were to lose. But, that's how reality works." the performer let out an awkward chuckle without his own permission. "Unexpected scenarios, and all."

He knew that deep inside him, he was getting scared. Talking to some "Very Important Person" after all, he spent those seconds thinking of ways to defend his own feelings if they ever get hurt, trying not to blame himself after all these. He couldn't even take a look and observe the woman – he'd usually start from the hair, the eyes, from head to toe, but at the moment there was nothing he could think of but reasons. He also didn't notice that he had taken a few steps forward when he spoke, only until now. Feeling unsafe in self-condemnation, he tried not to tear up.

The story was upsetting to Kuri as an ancient soul there were many great stories to tell, so why a bad one - or at least a bad ending. The precious time it takes to create such a welcoming play for the souls that reach for such life was brilliant, but rare. Her lilac cold eyes gazed at the boy as she listened to him explain things. He believed that some 'classes' were stronger than others because they were believed to have trained differently. A little part of that was true, some were wrong.

"When it comes to strictness in training. That could be any background. It depends on the trainer. Some samuris have it easier than some knights and vice versa. Knights are more relatable now-a-days here in Fiore anyways which was why people made them win in the story and not the other." she tried to speak her opinion. Her arms crossed against her chest as she took a deep breather. "I just feel like stories with cliffhangers make more angry people than satisfied." She shrugged it off, but something was bothering her. "So are making stories a hobby, job or?" She curiously wondered as she then leaned back to the closest thing. It was an easy time to relax since most of the things she had to do was done and over with so listening and speaking theater talk was simply fine.

The silence could've killed him. Having the woman finally exchange words with Masami, he felt as if he was no longer being suffocated by two hands. However, that doesn't change the fact that the woman had an intimidating appearance, not to mention how Masami's perception felt her experience in battle; Masami takes complaints very well, except when those complaints are correct. Having his opinions proven wrong, he felt struck right in the gut.

"You're right." he willingly admitted, having nothing else to say. After all, the woman disliking the cliffhanger was her opinion as well, everyone else owns a unique thought. It was only this moment where Masami realized that, just like as she said, the story was a cliffhanger. It felt complete to the management team, if only Masami listened to his instincts and didn't settle with "good enough," then everything would be fine. Masami would reason out that as a citizen of Joya, he knew how strict the samurai are trained, wherein punishment is very heavy to the point of taking their own life. But since the woman had known more, Masami was convinced that she had seen other non-Joyan soldiers such as these.

He shook his head upon her question. "Ah, I usually act it out. I was a performer in a Joyan theater, but I left Fiore. Now, I'm just helping out with Marigold's theater before I travel to a different location." though saying this in a very relaxed and casual tone of voice, Masami couldn't help but be overly cautious. At least, he stopped observing the woman's expressions and appearance, which made him more relaxed around her. "It's Masami, by the way. Pleased to meet you!" Of course, he wouldn't let a respected person not know his name.

She pressed a finger against her own lips and looked away thinking, "But I mean I respect you putting in your culture - if I'm assuming correctly." Her lilac eyes gazed at the boy. "I've come from too many places." She then spoke and looked as people slowly left where it was just two of them. Her legs overlapped the right as she leaned back on the theater chair she was still sitting on now. Masami was differently a name she would hear from Joya or even Sin. The places were both beautiful in their own way, but the only place she had high hate for due to past reasons was Sin.

"My name is Kurisa. A pleasure to meet you." She smiled motherly and placed her hands on her left knee. 'I have many names, but that is the one I am using during this life-time.' Kuri thought as Arisa was suspicious, but then not as Kurisa was the combined name of Kuriana and Arisa. "Tell me about yourself and I will do the same. Unless you have things to do of course. I don't want to get in the way of that.". The woman never really cared for what people were doing, but this boy seemed to enjoy art. Something she could relate to, but maybe hers was more extreme. She couldn't judge at the moment though.

'It feels like talking to a fairy.' Masami thought, very silently with relaxed shoulders. It would've gone worse if the woman didn't introduce herself, which would attack Masami's perceptions and cause him to tilt a little more. But because she did, Masami started to feel like there's nothing to worry about, no longer feeling threatened. "Nope, I've got lots of time!" Masami exclaimed by releasing his arms behind him and leaning forwards. He also granted himself an unexpected good look through who this Kurisa is, 'How bewitching.' he continued to think, never seeing a face like this before. Being in a culture where it is required to take good care of your skin and face, Masami has always been familiar to which faces would attract which types of people. For the woman, she seemed to have a wild and matured face. She definitely wasn't kidding when she mentioned being around many places, which was probably why she had different perspectives. For the Marigold citizens who've enjoyed the show, most of them had common thought. If there was a single person who thought of a different view, they are certainly more than mere travellers. Masami's respect for Kurisa, having thought of her different perspectives, has abruptly increased for that sole reason.

"You seem to be." Masami scratched the back of his head in response to Kurisa's statement about coming from different many places, leaning back and keeping distance to prevent appearing rude. "Now I understand, that's pretty nice!" he had suddenly forgotten all of the negative impulses he had in the back of his mind from earlier. After all, looking up to older and more experienced people was never knew to him. It would be nice if they would teach him their ways, too. "I've come from Joya, strict cultures 'n stuff. No, I've not come alone – the people I was with on the way to Fiore kind of dropped me here. Though, I'll go back to Joya in a month just to visit my sickly mother." he knew that there were too many information he just muttered out, but all of those thoughts dropped to the 'oh well' and continued flowing out of his mouth. It's not unusual for him to get this chatty, it's just that he hasn't been this chatty in a while, either.

The boy was from Joyan, way better than Sin. Sin was full of cultists that hid in small villages where most people didn't look. The larger areas were more judging, but at least you weren't sacrificed. Kuri didn't have any say in that as Arisa did. Kuri sacrificed people for experimenting, for science. Arisa was a victim of Sacrificial Rituals in Sin. She escaped thanks to Judith and some others. The boy didn't need to know all that. "Joya seems like a beautiful place to go." She believed. "Strict, probably, but in my eyes everywhere is. Just strict in their own way." She nods and crosses her arms against her chest and looks at him with her glowing lilac eyes.

"How old are you?~" she teased in a calming manner. Kurisa didn't want to assume his age so it was better to now ask. "Mother?" She assumed he was just an orphan since most of the people she has met, they never speak about their families. "What sort of sickness?". Was it like the plague or just a cold? She loved science and illness had science in it. Hopefully, it wasn't like the plague. It's very painful and deathly. Her eyes studied the boy and could easily tell he was a 'teen', meaning 13-19. When you meet someone for the first time, it's always the question game or a hello and bye.

The boy's face immediately lit up the moment Kurisa mentioned Joya being beautiful. As a child who grew from that culture, it was unavoidable not to feel great. "Of course!" he interlocked his fingers and had his hands close to his face, expressing a blooming response. He felt like a slave, suddenly unwillingly being willing to become second in the conversation. Still a child, Masami knew that he will never fully understand the words the woman meant unless he experiences them on his own. How is everything else, strict? Is Joya not the center of every strict thing? Just how long was this woman living here on Earth, anyway? Although he had always thought about being young and being taught to remain young, he had felt young in an awful way. Inexperienced and ignorant, someone who can't wait to learn more about the world, no matter how good or bad it is. Just like following a script – you must be smart in order to play the role of a genius, you must be tough in order to play the role of a soldier. Seeing how Kurisa's playing the role of a wise lady, there's no doubt that those experiences were indeed true.

Masami was suddenly asked of his age, which made him gulp. He didn't expect getting this personal, in terms of rational information. "Definitely younger and more inexperienced than you are." he gave a light chuckle afterwards, his arms creating distance from one another. Initially, he didn't want to even answer, and usually, he would tease and banter, making the other person guess rather than giving the answer directly, but in a very mean and devilish way. However, because Masami couldn't get over the fact that the woman, to him, appeared overwhelmingly intimidating, he couldn't help but follow. Then he'd nod when she asked about his parent. Singular form, parent, as the other one is surely deceased. Sooner or later, the other one might follow, and it is something that Masami greatly feared.

As much as Masami wanted to refuse answering Kurisa's question, he couldn't help but shrug and admit that he doesn't know. "She's had it ever since she was born, it was just then wherein she started to become immobile." there was no expression on Masami's face other than utter seriousness, looking directly at the woman's eyes without scanning anything else. He immediately cut this contact off by loosening his shoulders and looking directly above him. "Joyan doctors, Sinese doctors... Icebergian, Fiorian, whatever. They kept saying they didn't know, and we just lost the will to even become angry. If the tales were true, then maybe it's a curse." he knew that it was odd for him to be this honest, especially when it comes to irrational things such as tales and curses, where it's sure to think that not everyone believes in such stories. However, the tiny hope left in Masami thought that the woman might be of help, if that tiny hope was correct in a way.

Kurisa listened to the boy who seemed a little bit secretive. She understood since she was a stranger and didn't know her at all. She studied him and wondered a few things as she saw herself in him. She didn't know why exactly. Was it her first life, second, third? She couldn't think of which one, but it felt like a mix at least. He talked about how no one could figure out their mother's illness and he spoke of something she knew a lot about, curses. Her curse lasted for eternity without even having immortality.

Curses...

Literally curses were the bain of her existence. She gazed at the boy and made a small smile yet it felt grim. "Hmm, curses are rather delicate. Many tales for them boy. If you wish to reach me and talk to me about them. Just send a messenger out for me." She chuckled nervously and then looked towards the exit. "It seems it's my time to go though. Just find me if I'm needed... Masami." she breathly spoke while she waved goodbye while walking away. She left the theater for the day and towards where she was staying. Some people invited her to their house. It was filled with designers. Just her type, right?

-exit-

Kurisa listened to the boy who seemed a little bit secretive. She understood since she was a stranger and didn't know her at all. She studied him and wondered a few things as she saw herself in him. She didn't know why exactly. Was it her first life, second, third? She couldn't think of which one, but it felt like a mix at least. He talked about how no one could figure out their mother's illness and he spoke of something she knew a lot about, curses. Her curse lasted for eternity without even having immortality.

Curses...

Literally curses were the bain of her existence. She gazed at the boy and made a small smile yet it felt grim. "Hmm, curses are rather delicate. Many tales for them boy. If you wish to reach me and talk to me about them. Just send a messenger out for me." She chuckled nervously and then looked towards the exit. "It seems it's my time to go though. Just find me if I'm needed... Masami." she breathly spoke while she waved goodbye while walking away. She left the theater for the day and towards where she was staying. Some people invited her to their house. It was filled with designers. Just her type, right?

-exit-

Was it already time? Masami couldn't help but feel slightly empty when the woman decided to tell Masami that it was time for her to leave, as if he suddenly felt lonely. He had no right to judge; the play had already ended and it was already time for everyone to go. The janitors also can't clean unless the theater is empty, and Masami wouldn't want them to wait, either. "A-Ah, I see..." What does she even know? Masami was rather confused about the woman's answer regards curses... could she be cursed as well? Masami and his siblings had done nothing but wish that their mother's curse would lift away, however... Kurisa, was oddly different. Her answer was found utterly unrecognized and unexpected, which was why Masami couldn't even reply but instead silently watch the woman disappear from a distance.

Now, Masami had to find her if he needed. Someone like the woman definitely won't stay in Marigold City for long, and it will be harder for Masami to find her. He wouldn't want to waste both of their time, looking for each other only to occupy mindless chatter. It was time for Masami to go, as well. He waited for a moment before walking out, so that they won't think he was following the woman. Kurisa left some sort of spark when she rehearsed Masami's name in the last word, and Masami would definitely look for her when the time comes.